Set the Time Through the Fitbit App on Your Phone

The fastest way to change your Fitbit's time is through the Fitbit app on your smartphone. Open the app, tap the profile icon (usually in the bottom right corner), select your device, and look for "Clock" or "Time" in the settings. Tap it, then choose your time zone or enter the time manually. The change syncs to your Fitbit within seconds—you'll see the new time appear on your device's screen right away.

This method works for almost all Fitbit models, including Charge, Inspire, Sense, and Versa watches. The exact wording of menu options varies slightly between models, but the path is always: app profile → your device → settings → time zone or clock. If you don't see a clock option, your model may set time automatically based on your phone's time zone, which means you only need to make sure your phone's time is correct.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and find the Clock or Time Zone setting to adjust the time manually.
  • Most Fitbit devices sync time automatically with your phone, so changing your phone's time zone will update your Fitbit within seconds.
  • If you travel across time zones, update your Fitbit's time zone in the app rather than setting the time manually—this keeps your activity tracking accurate.
  • Restarting your Fitbit by holding the button for 10 to 15 seconds can fix a time that won't update after you've changed the setting.

Let Your Fitbit Sync Automatically With Your Phone

Most Fitbit models automatically pull the correct time from your phone whenever they sync. This means if your phone's time is correct and your Fitbit is paired to it, your Fitbit's time should match automatically—you may not need to do anything. Check by opening the Fitbit app and looking at the last sync time shown at the top of the screen. If it says "Synced now" or shows a recent time, your devices are connected and your Fitbit should have the right time.

The automatic sync happens in the background whenever your Fitbit is near your phone and the Bluetooth connection is active. If your Fitbit's time is wrong even though your phone's time is correct, the sync may have failed. Try closing the Fitbit app completely and reopening it, or toggle Bluetooth off and back on to force a fresh connection.

Update Your Time Zone When You Travel

When you cross time zones, change the time zone setting in the Fitbit app rather than manually entering a new time. Go to your profile, select your device, find Clock or Time Zone, and pick the new zone from the list. This keeps your activity data accurate because your Fitbit uses the time zone to know when your day starts and stops for step counts and sleep tracking.

If you manually set the time instead of changing the time zone, your Fitbit may record steps and sleep at the wrong times of day in its logs. The time zone setting tells your device not just what time it is, but what calendar day you're on, which matters for how your data is organized in the app.

Restart Your Fitbit If the Time Won't Update

If you've changed the time in the app but your Fitbit still shows the old time, a restart often fixes it. Hold down the button on your Fitbit for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen, then release. The device will restart and should pull the correct time from your phone during the next sync.

A restart clears temporary glitches that can prevent your Fitbit from accepting new settings. After the restart completes, open the Fitbit app and make sure your device is syncing—you should see "Synced now" or a recent sync time at the top of the app screen. If the time is still wrong after a restart and sync, try unpairing and re-pairing your Fitbit to your phone, which forces a complete reconnection.

Check Your Phone's Time and Time Zone First

Before you adjust your Fitbit, make sure your phone's time and time zone are correct. Your Fitbit pulls its time from your phone, so if your phone is set wrong, your Fitbit will be wrong too. Go to your phone's Settings, find Date & Time, and confirm both the time and time zone match your location.

On iPhone, turn on "Set Automatically" under Date & Time settings so your phone updates its time zone when you travel. On Android, look for "Automatic date and time" or "Use network-provided time" depending on your phone model. Once your phone is correct, your Fitbit should sync to the right time within a few seconds.

Manual Time Entry for Devices Without Automatic Sync

Older Fitbit models like the original Charge or Flex may require you to enter the time manually instead of syncing it automatically. In the Fitbit app, go to your device settings and look for a time or clock field where you can type or scroll to set the hours and minutes. Enter the time in 12-hour or 24-hour format depending on what your device shows, then tap Save or Confirm.

After you save, your Fitbit should display the new time within a few seconds. If it doesn't, close the app and reopen it to trigger a sync. Manual entry is less common now, but it's useful to know if you have an older model or if automatic sync isn't working for some reason.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit time keep changing back to the wrong time?

Your Fitbit is probably syncing with your phone, which has the wrong time or time zone set. Check your phone's Settings and make sure the date, time, and time zone are correct. Once your phone is right, your Fitbit will sync to match it. If your phone is correct but your Fitbit keeps reverting, try restarting your Fitbit and then opening the app to force a fresh sync.

Do I need to change the time on my Fitbit when I travel?

Yes, but change the time zone in the app instead of manually setting the time. This keeps your activity and sleep data organized by the correct calendar day. Your Fitbit will automatically update to the new local time once you change the time zone setting and sync.

What if my Fitbit won't sync with my phone to get the time?

First, restart your Fitbit by holding the button for 10 to 15 seconds. Then open the Fitbit app and check that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings. If it still won't sync, try unpairing your Fitbit in the app (go to your device settings and select "Unpair"), then pair it again from scratch. This forces a complete reconnection and usually fixes sync problems.

Can I set my Fitbit to a different time than my phone?

Most modern Fitbits won't let you—they sync automatically with your phone's time and will override any manual change you make. If you need a different time for some reason, you would have to change your phone's time zone, but this affects all your phone's apps and notifications, so it's not practical. Your Fitbit is designed to match your phone's time.

Does changing the time on my Fitbit affect my step count or sleep data?

Changing the time zone can affect how your data is organized by day, but it won't change the total steps or sleep you've recorded. Changing the time zone tells your Fitbit when your day starts and stops, so if you change it mid-day, your steps for that day might be split between two calendar days in the app. Always update your time zone when you travel to keep your data organized correctly.